Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) causes disturbing, anxiety-producing thoughts and repetitive behaviors, creating an ongoing cycle that may consume so much time you miss a large part of your daily life. The experienced team at the Mental Health Clinic of Idaho provides comprehensive care that can stop the cycle and restore balance. Don’t wait to get help for OCD.

OCD Q & A

What is OCD?

OCD is a challenging mental health condition in which uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) trigger an urgent need to perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Your compulsive behaviors are supposed to relieve the intense anxiety caused by your thoughts — and you may feel better for a while — but the unwanted thoughts eventually return. Then you’re again compelled to go through the same ritualistic behaviors, and the cycle repeats.

People with severe OCD may devote so much time to their obsessions and compulsions that they can’t keep up with their daily responsibilities.

What symptoms does OCD cause?

You could have many possible obsessive thoughts. However, some obsessions are more common than others, such as:

• Fear of germs
• Fear of being harmed
• Need to maintain order or symmetry
• Fear of becoming violent
• Fear of losing important items

You might have a generic compulsive behavior, such as repeating a phrase or counting, but most compulsions are related to your thoughts.

For example, a fear of germs may trigger frequent hand washing. Needing to keep things in order may force you to rearrange items on a shelf constantly, and a fear of being harmed may lead you to repeatedly check the doors to be sure they’re locked.

Is there a difference between OCD and obsessive tendencies?

Many people have a deep need to keep their possessions in order or their homes perfectly clean. Or you may feel a strong desire to add items to a collection.

These feelings and behaviors mimic obsession and compulsions but aren’t OCD. People with an obsessive tendency have some control.

For example, you wouldn’t skip work to clean your house, and you can probably put an interest or hobby out of your mind when you’re engaged in other activities.

People with OCD can’t stop obsessions or control subsequent behaviors without treatment.

How is OCD treated?

Your provider creates a personalized care plan, recommending one or both of the following:

Medication management

Your provider may prescribe psychiatric medications approved to ease OCD symptoms.

Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has helped many people overcome OCD. During therapy, you learn how to break the connection between obsessions and compulsions and stop automatically performing repetitive behaviors.